Bow thurster Vs Stern thruster

[DHutch]

We currently have a 150mm vetus bow thruster on emilyanne, which although not often used is vital occationaly (as shes a slugish 63ft long and 22tons lump, and somtimes we need all the help we can get)

 

- but somone sayed that they have a stern prop, and says that it great?

 

does anyone here a bow or stern thruster?

 

just curiouse, daneil

[nbtafelberg]

I have no bow thruster....

 

But I have got a Lister HR2 Engine that powers my prop so she can cope with most things. Mine is 70ft and 22 tonnes

[rog guiver]

Our last boat had a bowthruster but when we extended her we added a sternthruster. Found it so useful that it was the first "extra" that we incorporated into the new shell.

 

It make so many aspects of manouvering so much easier.

 

I await the first salvos, but will stand my ground

[howardang]

Our last boat had a bowthruster but when we extended her we added a sternthruster. Found it so useful that it was the first "extra" that we incorporated into the new shell.

 

It make so many aspects of manouvering so much easier.

 

I await the first salvos, but will stand my ground

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I won't give you any argument. I don't understand the school of thought that says it's wimpish to have bow/stern thrusters. The argument seems to go that it's ok to have your wife push the bow round with a lump of wood but somehow less macho to use a mechanical device to acheive the same result. I can't see any difference but good luck to you and enjoy your two toys!

 

Regards

Howard Anguish

[ChrisPy]

............. and I see no reason why I shouldn't install GPS sat nav linked to a programmed steering mechanism, to allow me to manouevre around the cut while I doze off ...

[Gary Stacey]

See too many boats being blown off course by unpredictable winds in our basin to think a bow thruster is not necessary. Too much expensive plastic moored there to take a chance

[rog guiver]

This is all very refreshing!!

[Khayamanzi]

I absolutely agree!! You can guarantee that anything that made boat handling easier and cheaper in the carrying days would have been embraced with open arms and that would include bow thrusters/stern thrusters or any other kind of thrusters had they been around!

 

Tradition is only modern practice viewed from the future!

[James York]

how well does the stern/bow thruster combination work? Can you get the boat moving sideways with no forward motion if so that would be very helpful getting in those tight moorings and keeping to the side of a double lock whilst waiting for slow coaches!

Edited December 23, 2004 by James York

[John Orentas]

I imagine you can spin round like a top untill your batteries go flat.

Edited December 23, 2004 by John Orentas

[Big COL]

James

 

Very useful when two boats are going through double locks with limited crew, it allows you to only use one gate as the first boat in can crab itself sideways to allow the other one in, an the reverse for leaving the lock.

Edited December 23, 2004 by Big COL

[howardang]

how well does the stern/bow thruster combination work? Can you get the boat moving sideways with no forward motion if so that would be very helpful getting in those tight moorings and keeping to the side of a double lock whilst waiting for slow coaches!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

You can make a narrowboat walk sideways without a stern thrust as long as the wind isn't too strong. A combination of bow thrust in the right direction together with helm hard over and gentle tickover kicks ahead - i.e. stop the engine as soon as forward movement is detected and if you are going alongside on the appropriate side the use of transverse thrust when going astern.

 

Regards

 

Howard Anguish

[Amicus]

Where does a stern thruster fit? (pardon)

The after sections are all full of gubbins, stern-gear, engine, cooling stuff, etc.

[John Orentas]

Well I can sort of understand someone wanting a bow thruster, but a stern thruster ! Is that as well as or instead of.

 

I am currently working on a new design, an 'up thruster' to get the boat up on the bank when it is not in use. I've got to get rid of those licence charges somehow.

[DHutch]

Where does a stern thruster fit? (pardon)

The after sections are all full of gubbins, stern-gear, engine, cooling stuff, etc.

 

We dont have stern thurster, but from what i can see, they are mouted "outside" the boat, the only image i can get is this one of a yacht

 

 

- I guess the narrowboat insallations have it mounted to the underside of the swim plate, infront of the prop.

 

- also, the "data sheet" [vetus data sheet] shows how to mount it (although not where)

 

- maybe somone who has one can shead more light?

 

daniel

[John Orentas]

A conventional thruster could be fitted immediately in front of the engine, but god knows why anyone would want one. Try using the rudder!

[Big COL]

A conventional thruster could be fitted immediately in front of the engine, but god knows why anyone would want one. Try using the rudder!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

Well said.

[Paul Evans]

And I'm all for having the OCM wield a great big piece of wood instead of fitting something else to go wrong. The exercise does her good!

[Liam]

I don't wish to offend anyone here, and if I do, I'm sorry, but I still think having a bow thruster fitted is an excuse for shoddy helmsmanship.

[tobytimothy]

I don't wish to offend anyone here, and if I do, I'm sorry, but I still think having a bow thruster fitted is an excuse for shoddy helmsmanship. 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

 

Do I take it you operate your narrowboat single-handed Liam and thats why you can see no reason why a bow thruster may be of use?

[Gary Stacey]

shoddy helmsmanship eh? Youve obviously never been blown sideways by a gusting wind in a large basin surrounded by expensive cruisers! So easy to lose total control and its nothing to do with shoddy helmsmanship. Perhaps you only cruise canals?

Edited April 6, 2005 by Gary Stacey

[Liam]

Do I take it you operate your narrowboat single-handed Liam and thats why you can see no reason why a bow thruster may be of use? 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yep, I go it alone.

[Liam]

shoddy helmsmanship eh? Youve obviously never been blown sideways by a gusting wind in a large basin surrounded by expensive cruisers! So easy to lose total control and its nothing to do with shoddy helmsmanship. Perhaps you only cruise canals?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I've cruised most of the norths canals, and one or two rivers and have never had any problems. The boat goes where I want it to go.

Edited April 6, 2005 by Liam

[steveh]

I have power steering in my car does this mean i cannot drive well? Or is it an aid?

[Liam]

I have power steering in my car does this mean i cannot drive well? Or is it an aid?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Do you drive about at 4mph?